Patents by Inventor Charles A. Crouch

Charles A. Crouch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Epicyclic gear mechanism for multiple input/output systems
    Patent number: 11549573
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an epicyclic gear mechanism that includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive the fore secondary differential assembly and the aft secondary differential assembly. The fore secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more fore interfaces (e.g., output gears), whereas the aft secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more aft interfaces (e.g., output gears). Each of the primary differential assembly, the fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, and the interfaces rotate about a common central axis. The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear, both of which rotate about the common central axis. Further, one or more actuators are to activate or deactivate in order to drive or be driven by a selected interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Romana, Charles A. Crouch, Mariusz Kuczaj, Paul J. Smith
  • EPICYCLIC GEAR MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20220025963
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an epicyclic gear mechanism that includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive the fore secondary differential assembly and the aft secondary differential assembly. The fore secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more fore interfaces (e.g., output gears), whereas the aft secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more aft interfaces (e.g., output gears). Each of the primary differential assembly, the fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, and the interfaces rotate about a common central axis. The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear, both of which rotate about the common central axis. Further, one or more actuators are to activate or deactivate in order to drive or be driven by a selected interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Roy Romana, Charles A. Crouch, Mariusz Kuczaj, Paul J. Smith
  • Epicyclic gear mechanism for multiple input/output systems
    Patent number: 11137057
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an epicyclic gear mechanism that includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive the fore secondary differential assembly and the aft secondary differential assembly. The fore secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more fore interfaces (e.g., output gears), whereas the aft secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more aft interfaces (e.g., output gears). Each of the primary differential assembly, the fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, and the interfaces rotate about a common central axis. The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear, both of which rotate about the common central axis. Further, one or more actuators are to activate or deactivate in order to drive or be driven by a selected interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Romana, Charles A. Crouch, Mariusz Kuczaj, Paul J. Smith
  • EPICYCLIC GEAR MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20200370632
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an epicyclic gear mechanism that includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive the fore secondary differential assembly and the aft secondary differential assembly. The fore secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more fore interfaces (e.g., output gears), whereas the aft secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more aft interfaces (e.g., output gears). Each of the primary differential assembly, the fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, and the interfaces rotate about a common central axis. The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear, both of which rotate about the common central axis. Further, one or more actuators are to activate or deactivate in order to drive or be driven by a selected interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Roy Romana, Charles A. Crouch, Mariusz Kuczaj, Paul J. Smith